Gift ideas for older family and friends

Buying Christmas presents for older family and friends can be difficult as many seniors either insist they have too much already or they have particular tastes which makes it much harder to find good, thoughtful gifts. This doesn’t help when it comes to picking a present that will be special and meaningful, so we have put together a few ideas that will hopefully give you some gift inspiration for an elder family member or friend.

An old restored photo

A lot of older people will have black and white photographs that will mean a lot to them and photos can be restored with colour added to them. This will make a great Christmas present as it brings memories to life, which is what Chums have done for their #MemoriesInColour campaign. Old photographs from WW1 or WW2 that have been colourised not only allows older people to reminisce but helps give the story behind the image.

A hands-free speaker

Getting a hands-free speaker for an older relative or friend is a really useful and practical present. This device will allow the recipient to make calls, play music, set timers and alarms, ask questions, check the weather and manage shopping lists as well as a host of other functions. You can even provide them with a list of verbal commands so they can get to grips with their hands-free device.

Jigsaw puzzle

Gifts that help stimulate the mind and ease anxiety are perfect presents for older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia. A jigsaw puzzle can help engage the brain while helping to relax at the same time. Ideally you’ll want to pick one that comes with large pieces and nostalgic imagery as these are specifically designed to help those dealing with memory issues.

Digital photo frame

A digital photo frame allows you to upload photos directly to the frame from your phone and share memories with your loved ones. You simply download the free app to your smartphone and you can invite family and friends to share their images to the frame too. The digital frame comes with unlimited photos and the great thing about it is the recipient doesn’t have to do a thing!

Talking watch

If your older family member or friend struggles with their vision then a good gift idea may be a talking watch. Those with low vision may not be able to see the numbers on a standard wristwatch, so with the simple press of a button the talking watch will announce the current time. Some models can automatically set the precise time based on location and adjust to daylight saving time.

Choosing a Christmas gift for older family and friends can be tricky, especially when trying to get them something meaningful and special, but hopefully these ideas can point you in the right direction.